Biotechnologia

Zwierzchowski, Lech

doi:0860-7796

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Title: Biotechnologia ; Biotechnologiczne wykorzystanie gruczołu mlecznego - perspektywy manipulacji genetycznych białkami mleka

Abstract:

In this article, state of art and perspectives in mammary gland biotechnology are reviewed.Recent progress in recombinant DNA technology as well in embryo manipulation and transferhas made the introduction of specific genes into the germline of animals relatively easy. Withappropriate genetic constructs, the expression of the inserted genes in transgenic animals canbe controlled in a tissue-specific and in a differentiation-specific manner. Thus, it is now possibleto consider alteration of the composition of milk produced by lactating animals in a variety ofways. There is a growing list of foreign milk proteins that have been expressed, and one canenvisage placing almost any protein gene of interest under the control of promoter of a milkprotein gene. Many human proteins of a potential pharmaceutical use may be now produced inthe mammary glands of laboratory or farm animals. Modification of milk composition can beextended not only to produce proteins of commercial value but also, by manipulation of keymetabolic enzymes, to fat, lactose, and other components of milk. Many alternations in ruminantsmilk composition, including „humanization” of cow’s milk, are planned, however, these manipulations must avait the development of totipotent embryonic cell lines (ESC) of fairn animals,cells that enable gene manipulation by homologous recombination. In spite of a great progress,many obstacles and difficulties still exist on the way to economical production of human paharmaceuticals in farm „transgenic bioreactoractors”. These dificulties are discussed in detail.